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Third Edition
DEGREE OF PROTECTION
BS EN 60529: 1992 (IEC 529 1989)
EIEMA has 45 members ranging from companies which are the UK Divisions of large
multinational companies to small owner managed niche market companies. EIEMA is
organised into four Product Groups as follows:
The benefits of membership fall into two broad categories which are representation and
access to Association services. The main areas in which the Association represents its
members are in legislative and standardisation matters. The former is done both directly
by established relationships with appropriate Government or EU departments in London
and Brussels, and through BEAMA and various European manufacturers’ groups.
Other services offered by the Association include legal, statistics and export support.
In addition the Association is a channel for liaison with customer associations such as the
Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA) and the Electrical Contractors' Association
(ECA).
Acknowledgements
EIEMA would like to thank: IEC and BSI for allowing references to their standards.
CONTENTS
Section Page
An Introduction to EIEMA
Preface
2
1 Introduction
3
2 Scope
4
3 Object
4
4 Designations
6
5 Selection
7
6 IP Codes
9
7 Weatherproof applications
11
8 Drainage holes
12
9 Ventilated equipment
13
10 Empty enclosures
13
11 Typical examples
14
Readers should note, the requirements in the Standard call for comparative tests
and these bear no actual relationship to specific weather or corrosive conditions.
2
1
INTRODUCTION
B S EN 60529 describes a system for classifying degrees of protection provided by
enclosures, principally for electrical equipment.
It should be noted that empty enclosures may be supplied and therefore could be
used for other applications.
Whilst this system is suitable for use with most types of electrical equipment, it
should not be assumed that all the listed degrees of protection are applicable to a
particular type of equipment.
3
2
SCOPE T he code letters IP of BS EN 60529 refer to International Protection as applicable to
enclosures of electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72.5kV. It
should be noted that this standard is also applicable to empty enclosures provided that
the general test requirements are met and that the selected degree of protection is
suitable for the type of equipment to be enclosed.
The majority of EIEMA products are required to conform to the Low Voltage
Directive. This guide is therefore only intended to describe the classifications for degrees
of protection provided by enclosures of electrical equipment with a rated voltage not
exceeding 1000V ac and 1500V dc.
3
OBJECT D egrees of protection are classified in three general categories.
2) Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the ingress of solid
foreign objects.
Intended to cover protection of the equipment mounted inside against tools, and/or
strands of wire and/or the harmful ingress of dust particles.
Barriers, shapes of openings or any other means - whether attached to the enclosure
or formed by the enclosed equipment - suitable to prevent or limit the penetration of the
specified test probes are considered as a part of the enclosure, except when they can be
removed without the use of a key or tool.
3) Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.
4
BS EN 60529 states in clause 2, that measures to protect against,
are not considered and should form part of the product specification where relevant.
5
4
DESIGNATIONS T he degrees of protection provided by an enclosure are indicated by the IP code in
the following way:
CODE LETTERS IP 2 3 D W
International Protection
‘X’ Letter
The letter ‘X’ is used in place of the first or second numeral by equipment manufacturers
to indicate that tests are not applicable to the product1. It is also used in standards to
indicate that for the range of products covered such protection is not required.
eg: IP4X specifies that protection against the 1.0mm probe is required and that there is no
requirement for the protection from the ingress of water.
6
IPX2 – Dripping 15º
from the vertical
5
SELECTION S election should be made by initially considering the protection required at the
place of installation:
b) the suitability of the enclosure for the working environment for which it is intended.
In areas where only skilled (2) and/or instructed persons (3) have access, an enclosure
with a lower protection category may be acceptable, whereas the opposite would apply
where uninstructed persons have access.
e.g. In general, wiring accessory product standards specify protection against access
to hazardous parts. A typical requirement for accessories used in domestic or
commercial environments will be IP2XD.
Note 2: Skilled Person. A person with technical knowledge or sufficient experience to enable
him/her to avoid dangers which electricity may create.
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TYPICAL INSTALLATIONS
Installation Considerations
Residential/Office/ Generally clean, dry and free from harmful deposits of dust, but some condensate
School may be present due to atmospheric conditions.
Control rooms/ Generally dry and free from harmful deposits of dust, but some condensate may be
Sub-Stations present due to atmospheric conditions.
Commercial/ May not be clean, but normally dry and free from harmful deposits of dust. Suitable
Light Industrial minimum protection,
Machine control equipment, where fluids may be present, e.g. lathes, millers etc.,
typically IP54.
Heavy Industrial, May not be totally clean, with possible presence of corrosive elements and harmful
Chemical, deposits of dust. Protection to IP54 will be typically required, with special
Steel making etc consideration given to the corrosion resisting properties of the enclosure.
Food Processing Will vary depending on the type of food being processed and the possible
requirement for washing down. Where fine powders are present, a minimum of IP53
should be used. This should be increased to IP54/55 if the equipment needs to be
washed/hosed down.
Weatherproof If subjected to exposure to any weather condition, agreement between the User
and Manufacturer is necessary together with additional consideration given to the
corrosion resisting properties of the enclosure and fittings. See section 7.
8
FIRST NUMERAL
Protection against ingress Meaning protection
of solid foreign objects of persons against
access to hazardous
parts with:
IP Requirements Example
0 no protection no protection
provided
5 limited ingress of
dust permitted wire
(no harmful deposit,
refer to standard)
6 totally protected
against ingress wire
of dust
9
SECOND NUMERAL
Protection against harmful Meaning for ADDITIONAL LETTER Meaning protection
ingress of water protection (Optional) of persons against
from ingress access to hazardous
of water: parts with:
IP Requirements Example IP Requirements Example
A
0 no protection no protection For use with first numerals 0
provided
penetration of
50.0mm diameter
sphere up to
1 protected against
vertically falling drops
vertically
dripping guard face must
50
of water. not contact back of
hazardous parts. hand
10
7
WEATHERPROOF
APPLICATIONS T he effects of continuous exposure to weather and the environment are difficult to
evaluate, and therefore the choice of material for the enclosure is as important as
the actual IP designation.
The object of this guide is to draw attention of the user to the type of pitfalls that can
be encountered in the selection of materials. (BS EN 60529 does not include any guidance
to the selection of enclosure materials.)
It should be noted that IP ratings are for ingress only and that tests are comparative
and are conducted with fresh water.
Therefore, they in no way indicate the enclosure’s ability to withstand the effects
of corrosion from salt water, chemicals, acid rain and other special environments as
well as the normal expected weather conditions.
Thus, both the material and the finish also become important factors.
Stainless steel is relatively more expensive at the outset, but gives a long maintenance
free life in most environments.
Aluminium is also often used for outdoor use, but its grade, location and finish needs
careful consideration to avoid corrosion. If the protective finish becomes damaged, it
can quickly corrode, however the oxides of aluminium themselves form a protective
coating against corrosion in some atmospheres.
Enclosures of moulded materials are available for use in harsh environments and
generally provide good resistance to corrosion and chemicals. However to avoid
deterioration, careful consideration is required when choosing moulded enclosures as
some materials do not perform well with dilute acids or certain chemicals or when
exposed to ultra violet light (direct sun light). The vast range of moulding materials now
available makes it essential for specifiers to consult the manufacturer for information on
the ability of moulded materials to withstand hostile environments.
It should be noted that enclosures on exposed outdoor sites might be subject to dust,
rain, hail, sleet and snow, all of which can be windborne.
Consideration should also be given to the possible effects of condensation, which can
be caused by occasional temperature changes. This may be solved by ventilation or by
ensuring any condensation created does not cause harm and may be allowed to drain
away.
Drainage holes may be sufficient to disperse the condensate, but these apertures may
reduce the IP rating. However, if correctly designed, drainage holes can enhance the
weatherproof capabilities of an enclosure. See sections 8 & 11.
Attention should also be paid to any gaskets used for the higher IP ratings such that
water cannot readily be drawn past the seal. This is most likely to occur when a warm
enclosure is suddenly cooled causing a pressure drop inside. See section 8.
11
Thus it can be seen that to specify higher degrees of protection could mean
purchasing equipment that is more expensive, whilst the same objective may be
achieved by having a lower degree of protection with a construction and materials
suitable for the application. An exception to this principle will apply where hosing down
operations are envisaged.
The use of the supplementary letter ‘W’ in the Code indicates that the unit is suitable
for use under specified weather conditions and is provided with additional protective
features as agreed between Manufacturer and User.
8
DRAINAGE
HOLES
C ertain installations require consideration for the effects of internal condensation
within enclosures. Normally, this will be produced as a result of cyclic temperatures
where a high humidity is present. When the internal ambient temperature is high the air
expands and a proportion is expelled. On cooling the internal air pressure is reduced and
as a result cool, moisture-laden air is drawn in, producing condensation when the air
reaches its dewpoint. If the conditions are repetitive there will be a cumulative build up
of condensed water unless drainage holes are provided.
Drainage holes must be adequately dimensioned and located to permit the free exit
of water from the enclosure, making due allowance for the effects of surface tension.
Generally drainage holes with a minimum of 5.0mm diameter are required, and
therefore internal barriers are required to achieve the enhanced personnel protection of
IP ratings, IP2XC or IP2XD. Even higher ratings can be achieved if external barriers are
employed, or the enclosure is so positioned to prevent access for penetration of the drain
holes. See section 11.
12
IPX4 – Splashing from
all directions
9
VENTILATED
EQUIPMENT
V entilation can provide an important contribution to the satisfactory operation of
enclosed equipment. Where significant heat is generated in an enclosure,
ventilation is generally employed to permit the equipment to operate within its designed
performance characteristics.
Typically applicable codes for totally dry situations are IP2XC or IP3X. For
installations where externally falling condensate is anticipated, IP21C or IP31 would be
appropriate.
10
EMPTY
ENCLOSURES
B S EN 60529 requires the final manufacturer/installer of an assembly to ensure
that after any electrical equipment has been installed within the enclosure, it
still meets the required IP rating.
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11
TYPICAL
EXAMPLES
T he following are some typical examples chosen with EIEMA products in mind. It is
impossible to show every type of design and it is recognised that other design
variations are possible.
1 Basic enclosures
The IP code for this Smaller aperture to Hinged or removeable Door overlaps the
example without the prevent access of small door type suitable for IP enclosure aperture and
barrier is IP1X, but with the tools etc, therefore IP3X, ratings generally up to when gasketted, this type
internal barrier fitted as but also needs an internal IP42, and would require of design can achieve the
shown it can become barrier if wire strands good quality gasket to highest IP ratings
IP1XC or even IP1XD. need to be excluded. achieve higher values.
2 Drainage holes
The minimum The basic protection with This can be improved by The IP rating can be
recommended aperture drainage holes would the use of internal barriers, affected by the installation
sizes to allow for drainage then be IP2X. and a rating of IP2XD can position; here the mounting
and overcome the surface be achieved surface acts as an external
tension of water are 5.0mm barrier and limits
diameter, or a 3.0mm width accessibility.
slot of 20.0mm2 area.
14
3 Ventilated equipment
APPY IPPY
buys his copy
of "IP Guide"
15
We hope that this guide
is as helpful to you as it
is to Appy Ippy.
16
EIEMA MEMBER
COMPANIES
EIEMA membership
continues to grow, therefore
for the latest information of
EIEMA Member Companies,
please contact EIEMA Ltd.
at the address overleaf or
visit the EIEMA website at
www.eiema.org.uk
GUIDE TO THE
‘IP’ CODES FOR
ENCLOSURES
An EIEMA Publication
Issue No3 - September 2001
The Electrical Installation Westminster Tower
Equipment Manufacturers' 3 Albert Embankment
Association London SE1 7SL